NHL Eastern Conference’s 10 biggest trade-deadline deals

It takes a tanking team to make this trade, as Neuvirth was playing very well in net in Buffalo. But this is still an overall win for the Sabres, as Neuvirth won’t sabotage their tank efforts any more and they get an additional draft pick out of it to boot.

This trade is a bit of a gamble for the Isles but could go down as a steal eventually, as Kennedy is a great depth forward who was a key possession player with the Penguins prior to his stint with the Sharks. Kennedy has Stanley Cup-winning experience, which will also be an asset to the Islanders, who basically gave up nothing to get him. And if it doesn’t work out, no harm done.

The true impact of this deal has yet to be seen, because Connolly could make a difference on a thin Bruins offense, but he never realized his potential in Tampa. Connolly is just 22 years old, though, and might simply need more time to become an impact player in the NHL. If that happens, this one is a win for Boston. If it doesn’t happen, it will have been a very disappointing trade deadline for the B's.

Although Jagr has been in the NHL for three years longer than the Panthers organization has existed, he’s a great addition for Florida up front. The move gives the Panthers more scoring depth while helping the Devils unload a player who seemed to have one foot out the door and allowing them to continue to build for their future.

The Flyers have to be happy with the return from this deal, because their draft stock just improved greatly, while the Lightning added to their defensive corps by landing a player who could stick around for a few years. Plus, Coburn already knows new teammate and possible defensive partner Matt Carle from their time together with the Flyers.

A Glencross trade was expected since the Flames had asked the veteran forward to waive his no-trade clause, and the destination wasn't much of a surprise either given the Capitals' much-rumored interest. The Caps had been seeking help up front, and they'll get it in the consistently productive Glencross, who is expected to slot in at left wing on the second line and also see time down low on the power play. One bonus for the Caps in the acquisition: they didn't have to give up anything on their roster.

This is somewhat of a second-chance deal for the Wings, who probably wanted Dion Phaneuf over Zidlicky but didn’t want to pay the Leafs' high asking price for Phaneuf. So instead they end up getting the right-shot defenseman they wanted to bolster their defensive corps in exchange for basically nothing.

Charles LeClaire

3

Maple Leafs send David Clarkson to Blue Jackets for Nathan Horton

This trade turned out to be the best one the Maple Leafs made at the deadline. That isn’t a great reflection on Leafs management, but it was great for fans. Toronto gets to dump a player who never worked out with the organization onto a team looking toward the future, and in exchange, the Blue Jackets get to unload the weighty contract of Horton, who probably will never play again due to back trouble.

This deal was the most important one made by the Habs leading up to the deadline, as they needed an extra defenseman for the playoffs and Petry can more than fill that void. It’s also highway robbery, because the Canadiens didn’t give up nearly as much as people expected for one of the more coveted trade targets on the market.

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY SportsSergei Belski

1

Rangers get Keith Yandle from Coyotes for Anthony Duclair, John Moore and 2016 first-round pick

In prying the skilled Yandle away from the Coyotes, the Rangers pulled off probably the biggest of the many moves around the league leading up to the deadline. Yandle, Arizona's leader in points at the time of the trade, adds another dimension to an already-excellent Rangers team, particularly on the power play ... and serves as a here-we-come warning to the crosstown-rival Islanders. The cost was high, with the talented Duclair being particularly tough to give up at age 19, but the Rangers feel Yandle will be worth it since he makes them perhaps the Eastern Conference frontrunners.